A SERO-PREVALENCE STUDY OF HEPATITIS A INFECTION IN THE DISTRICT OF HULU LANGAT, SELANGOR.

Abstract

A sero-prevalence study was carried out to ascertain the prevalence and the socio-demografical features of the cases of Hepatitis A in Kampung Pangsoon, Kampung Padang dan Kampung Lubuk Kelubi of Mukim Hulu Langat, on 15-16 March 2003. A total of 1643 samples were examined and 995 cases (60.6%) were found to be exposed to the infection with 327 cases detected in Kampung Pangsoon, 400 cases in Kampung Padang and 268 cases in Kampung Lubuk Kelubi. The majority of the cases were female, 545 cases (54.7%), Malay - 752 cases (75 .6%) and Orang Asli - 231 cases (23 .2%). The majority of the cases were in the age group of< 40 years old (65%) with a mean of 25 .4 years (SD19) with a primary school level of education. About 40 .3 % of the cases were working with an a.er age monthly income of < RM 1000. The majority of cases were provided with facilities of sanitary toilet 922(95.4%), sanitary sewage system 846(91.2%), safe water supply 930(96.4%) and sanitary solid waste disposal system 426( 44.6%). From the analysis it showed significant different (p<00.5) between exposed and unexposed cases in tenns of usage of sanitary toilet, safe water supply and activities carried out in the rivers. In conclusion, the study localities were found to be epidemic for Hepatitis A infection with a high sero-prevalence rate. Amongst the risk factors are inappropriate usage of sanitary toilets, unsafe drinking water supply and past history of using contaminated river water. Long tenn control measures instituted were provision of basic amenities such as sanitary toilets, safe water supply and intensive health education to Orang Asli and local populations to avoid using the rivers for defecation. Hepatitis A immunization was initiated to the susceptible population in these localities.